Picture the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division as a rowing race with the bow of each boat alternating slightly ahead as the finish line looms.

Saturday’s high noon showdown at Millennium Field between Bartlett and West Aurora could potentially decide the 2018 champion and whether or not Bartlett’s Hawks can either win or once again share the crown.

Bartlett enters its final league match at 2-0-2, so a win guarantees no worse than a tie for first place.

Glenbard East, last year’s co-champ with the Hawks, sports an identical 2-0-2 record prior to hosting South Elgin on Tuesday. Obviously the win, loss or tie by the Rams determines their fate as well.

Hoping to slip past everyone is West Aurora (6-5-2 overall), which brings a 2-0-1 loop record into Saturday followed by a Wednesday home finale versus West Chicago. If the Blackhawks win both, the school would claim its first conference championship for girls soccer.

Needless to say, each program is also seeking a momentum boost with the IHSA postseason on the horizon.

“Winning your conference is one of everyone’s goals,” Bartlett coach Victor Marquez acknowledged. “Achieving that depends mainly on us, and that’s the way we like it.”

The same mentality is true for West Aurora boss Laura Wagley, and Glenbard East skipper Kent Overbey; all three programs are on a roll.

Bartlett (9-5-3) -- fresh off a 1-1 draw in a visit to St. Charles East, the 12th-ranked team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 -– is on a seven-match (5-0-2) unbeaten streak. Glenbard East (12-3-3), rates as a poll honorable mention team, has won five in a row, three by shutout, and the last two featuring 19 goals worth of production.

West Aurora's scheduled match Thursday (may 3) was the victim of a late cancellation by visiting Larkin. Regardless, the Blackhawks boast a four-match win streak and victories in five of the last six contests to help overcome the struggles of a 1-4-2 start.

Speaking of struggles, West Aurora’s seniors have had those against Bartlett -- losing by one-goal margins in the most recent three meetings. Last year’s setback was a particularly frustrating memory.

“We were in a similar position last year needing to beat them or tie, and they got by us on our own turf,” Wagley lamented over Bartlett’s second half goal that produced a 2-1 defeat.

Finishing 3-1-1 left the Blackhawks just shy of Glenbard East and Bartlett (both 3-0-2), making it one of the most distasteful losses in a historic 18-4-2 campaign that included the program’s first regional plaque, which was earned with a 3-2 triumph over Naperville Central.

“The desire to have another historical first is a big incentive,” Riley O’Brien said. “The past is the past. This really is a different team . Our sophomore classes have made a huge impact the last two years. We had some tough luck early this season, but we’ve really worked on perfecting our passing, and I believe it shows in our most recent results.”

Whereas O’Brien was a dual threat last year with 14 goals and 22 assists, the Illinois State recruit has adjusted her role to help this year’s crew, which explains her three goals and team-high 12 assists.

“This year it’s been more important for me to be more of a playmaker, or passer to create chances,” O’Brien said. “The first half of this season, we struggled like we did in the opening half of games, but now we’re coming out hard earlier and working toward becoming an 80-minute team.”

Fellow senior captain Sofia Papoutsis shared that view.

“While we were a second half team, we’ve worked on picking up our intensity from the beginning. We’ve had close games with them (Bartlett) and know there will be a physicality with all that’s on the line, but I’m convinced we’re ready,” Papoutsis said. “Last year winning a PepsiCo (bracket) title and the regional were great, but having a real shot at winning a conference title as another notable achievement is exciting.”

The three-season team captain and Illinois Wesleyan signee views communication as a her key role for her both on defense and as a team veteran.

Wagley has always viewed Papoutsis and O’Brien as 80-minute players, but is convinced the Blackhawks are a much more balanced team throughout the field.

“The last few years Kat (Katherine Stephens) was instrumental to our success. Now (younger sister) Audrey (10 goals, three assists) and Riley have come out from her shadow and are carrying the load offensively. The McPherson twins (Kiara and Olivia) have been great in the midfield, finding ways to help the offense or track back for defense,” Wagley said. “And Sophia (Papoutsis) has saved us countless times with her consistency in back.”

Hannah Gove was in net early to start the season before Samara Martinez took over. But a concussion now has her sidelined, so it’s up to Gove to keep West Aurora rolling.

“If you walk the halls at West, the pride and history are in photos of teams that won trophies or tournaments since the 1910s. As a team we want to carry that pride onto the field with us,” O’Brien said. “I also believe our coaches (Wagley and assistant Kevin Briars) have built the program up. It’s gone from an easy game, to they’re getting better, to now that people know we’re contenders in the conference and beyond.”

While Kat Stephens accounted for a West Aurora goal in the last two 2-1 losses as well as the 3-2 defeat in 2015, Bartlett has a few players hoping to continue their success against the Blackhawks. Teagan Noesen has been in goal for the last two victories while the offense from 2017 is back. Alyssa Modugno scored an unassisted tally, while Mikayla Brown had the game-winner at West Aurora. Brown also had the goal in Bartlett’s 1-1 statement draw with St. Charles East, giving the junior forward 11 goals.

“We always have good tames with them, but I believe we’ve got a lot of momentum on our side,” Jenna Dombrowski said. “As a senior it’s crazy to think there are just a few games left in my career; the year has flown by. Winning conference is always a goal and maybe it’s just the timing being late in the season, but it’s not so much a rivalry game, but one that always has a little extra intensity.”

Scoring leader Dombrowski (12 goals, nine assists) was signed by Mid-American Conference champion Ball State. Florida Southern signee Jessica Mirsky will be with Bartlett in spirit after having surgery on an ACL on Friday. However, the Hawks maintain a solid experience level with senior tri-captains Modugno and Miranda Hedeen on defense plus Natalie McGinnis on offense.

“Strange as it sounds, not only does it feel like tryouts were just yesterday, it’s hard to believe the season is coming to a finish,” Hedeen added. “In looking back on this year, we’ve had a lot of ups and downs from injuries or people being out due to sickness. But I’m most proud of how we’ve handled all of that and are once again in a position to win conference and ready to surprise in the postseason.”

Marquez understands the additional stakes with Saturday’s game, but still believes the approach needs to be the same.

“We have to continue to focus on what we do well. We’ve got the right state of mind and just need to continue doing the basics like avoiding silly mistakes and not losing 50-50 balls,” Marquez said. “The longer stretches during which we connect passes and keep the ball, the more opportunities we can create.”